Defending champion Naomi Osaka knocked out in tears in US Open

New York: Third-seeded Naomi Osaka of Japan was unexpectedly knocked out by Canada's world No 73 Leylah Annie Fernandez 2-1 in the third round of the US Open women's singles, here on Friday night.The Canadians teenager played tough in the game and won the game 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-4.

"I guess I wanted to stay on court a little bit longer," joked Fernandez, who overcame 15 aces from her opponent. "And I wanted to put on a show for everyone here. An hour was just not enough for me on court."

"People laugh and people cry," the frustrated defending champion Osaka said."This is very hard to articulate," Osaka said. "Basically, I feel like I'm kind of at this point where I'm trying to figure out what I want to do, and I honestly don't know when I'm going to play my next tennis match."

This was the first Slam tournament for Osaka since she pulled out of the French Open to take a mental health break.

The Japanese star revealed that she endures waves of anxiety before meeting with the media and has dealt with depression for three years.(UNI/Xinhua)